Snowball Studios is where art speaks to the soul of Mumbai

Tucked away in the heart of South Mumbai, Snowball Studios invites you into an experience that transcends the usual gallery visit. Much more than a venue, the studio is a journey through diverse realms of artistic expression. Showcasing renowned names and fresh voices alike, the space pulses with creativity, offering a window into the minds of artists who span both contemporary and traditional art forms.

Snowball Studios’ exhibits have been diverse, to say the least, from the Dior collaboration with Chanakya School of Arts and artists Manu and Madhavi Parekh titled “Mul Mathi”—featuring 22 larger-than-life embroidered artworks commissioned for Dior’s Paris 2022 runway, to Paresh Maity’s “Infinite Light”—an evocative 40-day show through his three decades of work. More than simply observing art, visitors are drawn into the dialogue, contrasts, and nuances that reframe what art can be and how we engage with it. The gallery’s partnerships often feel like collaborations on a deeply personal level, supporting artists through milestones and transformations such as with Bhupal Ramnathkar’s pivot from advertising to fine art photography in “Reflections.”

What’s truly remarkable is how Snowball Studios came to be. And a lot of it had to do with the founder of Snowball Studios, Raman Chauhan's personal journey. Chauhan shares, “Growing up in the beautiful mountains of Shimla, inspired me to search for the art of things. Art, I believe, is in every aspect of our lives. Art is the answer that I started to seek when I moved to the hustle-bustle of the advertising industry of Mumbai, starting as a model, and then to the creative production of advertising films by giving birth to Snowball Studios. And this was just a small step—my vision was to make an infrastructure for something more than just film-making, it needed to become a pilgrimage of art.”

On how he started collecting, Chauhan says, “Collecting art became a passion for me ever since my eyes met the works of Souza, and this led my vision to broaden and collect works of some of India’s most renowned artists. I wanted to be ever so close to the world of artists and their art. Snowball Studios, my vision as the art gallery is the answer through my expedition of art. The spaces of Snowball are now a home for artists and their art.” Thus came to be the place where people aren’t just viewing but connecting with art, feeling its pulse, and sharing in the stories behind each brushstroke, photo, and installation.

And for those wondering what’s next, Snowball Studios continues to push boundaries. November 2024 will see the return of Tejal Patni’s "Vichitra" at Art Mumbai. Following this, the gallery will feature celebrated Sri Lankan artist Senaka Senanayake, whose pieces promise a vibrant fusion of colour and cultural narrative, brought to life in partnership with London’s Grosvenor Gallery and Mumbai’s Patrimonio Gallery.

Snowball Studios is not just a gallery; it’s a shared space where art lovers, casual visitors, and collectors converge in their appreciation of art’s multifaceted beauty. In this place, art is celebrated not just for what it looks like but for what it stirs in the people who encounter it.

Images: Snowball Studios

Also read: 5 books that capture the essence of Indian art, design, and cultural heritage